Mercedes Hernandez

Sunrise: January 13, 1936 – Sunset: June 3, 2025

With love in our hearts and gratitude for a life so vibrantly lived, we share the passing of our cherished matriarch, Mercedes “Mechi” Hernandez, who peacefully departed this life on June 3, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in La Habana, Cuba, on January 13, 1936, Mechi was the beloved daughter of Guillermo Averhoff and Rafaela Martinez. One of twelve siblings, she grew up in a home full of laughter, music, and the kind of chaos only 7 sisters and 5 brothers could bring.

At the age of 32, Mechi bravely left Cuba in 1968 during Los Vuelos de la Libertad, alongside her husband Armando Hernandez and their two young children, Saily (b. 1953) and Daniel (b. 1959), in pursuit of a better life in the United States. The family first settled in Union City, New Jersey, before planting roots in Hialeah, Florida, where she would go on to raise generations with love, sass, and a pressure cooker full of flavor.

Mechi was a dedicated worker, cutting fabrics in a Miami clothing factory until her retirement. But her true legacy lies in her role as the soul of the family. Her cooking was pure Cuban magic — her frijoles negros were better than abuela’s abuela’s — and if you ever dared to suggest otherwise, she’d just laugh and say, “Tú no sabes lo que es comida de verdad.”

She loved spending time on the phone, catching up with her siblings, friends, and anyone who picked up. She never missed her favorite shows — whether it was the drama of Caso Cerrado, the energy of Sábado Gigante, or the latest chisme about celebrities she spoke about like they were lifelong comadres. Her humor was unmatched, especially when teasing her grandkids or throwing out classic Cuban one-liners like “Estás comiendo lo que pica el pollo”.

Above all, she adored her children and took immense pride in raising a family that now includes:

• Three grandchildren: David Marrero, Eric Hernandez, Gabriela Hernandez

• Five great-grandchildren: Jessalyn Marrero, Rebecka Infante, Briana Marrero, Elizabeth Marrero, Margot Hernandez

• Three great-great-grandchildren: Jordan Diaz, Twins Hudson and Grayson Torres

She wasn’t overly religious, but her quiet Christian faith showed through the love and patience she poured into her family. She was the glue, the fire, and the warm plate of arroz con pollo at the end of a long day. She played her scratch-offs with the same hope she lived her life — joyfully, colorfully, and always with a plan for what she’d do if she hit the big one.

A celebration of Mechi’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 10th, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Caballero Rivero – Hialeah (373 W 9th St #377, Hialeah, FL 33010). All who knew her are welcome to attend, share a story, a song, a joke (o un cafecito con un chisme bueno), and honor the radiant woman who touched so many.

Her spirit lives on in the stories we tell, the recipes we recreate, and every time we say, “No te preocupes, mija… yo lo arreglo con Vicks.” Her frijoles, her scratch-offs, and her legendary laughter will never be forgotten.

Descansa en paz, Mechi. Te amamos con todo el corazón.

“No llores por mí, mejor brinda con un cafecito.”